The Health for Life programme promotes an ethos and environment which encourages a proactive approach to developing a healthy lifestyle.

The Health for Life in Primary Schools programme is funded by Mondelēz International and delivered by Services For Education. It aims to make a sustained and demonstrable improvement in healthy lifestyles across Birmingham.

The Health for Life in Primary Schools programme supports primary schools in engaging their community in healthy active lifestyles and embeds the work in the school culture and curriculum to promote sustainability. It is intended to increase pupils’ knowledge and skills and effect changes in healthy lifestyle attitudes and behaviour.

Scroll down to find out if you’re eligible to join the Health for Life Programme starting September 2026.

Picture of two children cooking with their teacher. Symbolises the Health For Life Programme

Health for Life Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary with a Brand New Funding Opportunity for Schools

To celebrate 15 amazing years of the Health for Life programme and to thank schools for their continued commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, we are offering our Health for Life schools the opportunity to apply for funding to further develop their Health for Life provision.

This special anniversary award will support schools in building on their previous successes and creating sustainable projects that will continue to benefit pupils, families and the wider school community for years to come.  

Key Details:

Who Can Apply for an Award?

The award is open to all schools that successfully completed the Health for Life programme in Cohorts 1-13. Project proposals must be submitted as part of the application process and must focus on developing one of the four key Health for Life strands:

  • Growing Food
  • Healthy Eating and Cooking
  • Physical Activity
  • Parent and Community Engagement

Schools should demonstrate how their proposed project will enhance and extend their existing Health for Life work rather than simply repeating previous activities.

What Could Schools Win?

There are six awards available:

  • Three grants of £1,500 – Awarded to the three schools with the highest overall judging scores.
  • Three grants of £500 – Awarded to the next three highest-scoring schools.

Funding should be used to create a sustainable improvement, resource or initiative that will have a lasting impact on the school’s Health for Life provision. 

How to Apply?

Schools that successfully completed the Health for Life programme in Cohorts 1-13 and who wish to enter must complete an application form explaining their proposed project and how the funding would be used, and return it to healthforlife@servicesforeducation.co.uk by Tuesday 1st December 2026.

Applications will be assessed against several criteria, including impact, sustainability, inclusion and value for money. See terms and conditions below.

As part of the application, schools will be asked to:

  • Describe the key activities and successes from their original Health for Life journey.
  • Explain their proposed project and how it develops previous work.
  • Identify who will benefit from the project.
  • Outline the impact they expect the funding to make.
  • Explain how the benefits will continue beyond the funding period.
  • Provide a detailed breakdown of spending.
  • Indicate whether additional school funding will be contributed.
  • Confirm when the project will be completed.

Application Tips.

Applications will be judged on:

  • Evidence of previous Health for Life impact
  • Creativity and quality of the proposed development
  • Expected outcomes and benefits
  • Sustainability and long-term impact
  • Inclusion and accessibility
  • Value for money

Schools should clearly demonstrate how their project will make a meaningful difference and become embedded within school life for the future. 

Project Ideas.

Need some inspiration? Here are some examples of projects that could be funded:

Growing Food

Healthy Eating and Cooking

Physical Activity

Parent and Community Engagement

Installing additional raised beds

 

Creating a fruit tree or berry-growing area

 

Developing composting facilities, a wormery or a polytunnel

Purchasing cooking equipment and portable cooking kits

 

Creating a healthy snack bar initiative

 

Expanding opportunities for practical food education

 

Developing active playground zones

 

Training pupil play leaders

 

Creating walking or running routes around the school

 

Running family workshops on nutrition and healthy lifestyles

 

Delivering sessions on healthy eating on a budget

 

Developing initiatives that encourage families to engage with Health for Life activities at home

 

These are examples only. Schools are encouraged to propose innovative ideas that meet the needs of their own community and create a lasting legacy.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Eligibility
1.1 The Health for Life 15th Anniversary Award is open to schools that successfully completed the Health for Life programme within Cohorts 1-13. 

1.2 Applications must be submitted by an authorised representative of the school. 

2. The Award
2.1 Six awards are available:
• Three grants of £1,500
• Three runner-up prizes of £500
No cash equivalent is available. 

2.2 Funding must be used to support a project linked to at least one of the following Health for Life strands:
• Growing Food
• Healthy Eating and Cooking
• Physical Activity
• Parent and Community Engagement 

2.3 Projects should build upon and enhance existing Health for Life activity and demonstrate a sustainable, long-term benefit for the school community. 

3. Application Process
3.1 Schools must complete and submit the official application form by Tuesday 1st December 2026.

3.2 Applications received after the closing date may not be considered.

3.3 By submitting an application, schools confirm that all information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge.

4. Judging
4.1 Applications will be reviewed by the judging panel, consisting of colleagues from Services For Education and Mondelez.

4.2 Judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.

4.3 Applications will be assessed against criteria including:
• Previous Health for Life impact
• Quality and creativity of the proposed project
• Expected outcomes
• Sustainability
• Inclusion and accessibility
• Value for money 

5. Use of Funding
5.1 Award funding must only be used for the project outlined in the successful application.

5.2 Schools may contribute additional funding to support their project if they wish. 

5.3 Services For Education reserves the right to request clarification regarding how funding will be spent.

6. Project Delivery
6.1 Successful schools must complete their project no later than the end of the Summer Term 2028. 

6.2 Schools must notify Services For Education if circumstances arise that may prevent the project from being completed as planned. 

7. Monitoring and Publicity
7.1 Successful schools agree to provide reasonable evidence of project progress and completion. This may include photographs, videos, pupil work or brief written updates. 

7.2 Successful schools agree to support promotional activity relating to the award, including sharing project outcomes and participating in publicity where appropriate. 

7.3 Any photographs, videos or case studies shared with Services For Education must comply with the school’s own policies and Mondelez policy regarding consent, permissions and data protection.

8. Award Administration
8.1 Services For Education reserves the right to amend the award timetable, judging process or these Terms and Conditions where necessary.

8.2 Services For Education reserves the right to withdraw an award if inaccurate information has been provided or if funding is not used for the agreed purpose.

9. Acceptance
By submitting an application, schools confirm that they have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Health for Life in Primary Schools promotes a change process based on 4 steps which aim to achieve results across the 4 strands of the programme.

The programme may be divided into four steps, each of which follows logically from the last. These are illustrated in the model below:

The programme is as much about changing attitudes and perceptions as it is about physical change. It is important to ensure that all aspects of change are considered and planned for in order to ensure short-term benefits are turned into long-term rewards.

Involving the children and other members of the school community will help them to feel ownership of their project, another key to success.

  • Get Thinking. This is the chance to review your current practice and involve children and staff in considering what is available in school for growing, learning about food, cooking and increasing physical activity.
  • Get Planning. Using the information gathered from the previous step and, with the support of your adviser, you will develop an Action Plan which outlines what you want to achieve and how you intend to do it.
  • Get Doing. This is the heart of the programme where you put your plan into practice and the activities for each of the 4 strands come together.
  • Get Reviewing. The final step involves monitoring and reporting progress, assessing achievements and celebrating success. Learning from this stage will also, of course, help you see how to move forward, sustaining and developing activities in the future.

Whilst following the 4 steps is key to meeting the targets we have tried to avoid setting out a rigid structure. Schools, teachers and pupils are all different so it is up to each school to decide how best to implement the programme.

HFL Timeline:

With support from your SFE  Adviser, you will:

  • Find your starting place as a school, highlight what you do already and start making a plan
  • Complete simple online baseline surveys with pupils
  • Carry out a gentle, reflective school audit
  • Develop practical, inspiring ideas for positive change
  • Choose a staff member to enjoy three funded training days
  • Create a clear, manageable Action Plan with achievable steps
  • Submit your Action Plan by early December to unlock the first part of the grant

With continued support, you will:

  • Begin bringing your Action Plan to life
  • Involve the whole school community in positive and manageable change
  • Approach all strands in ways that feel engaging and motivating
  • Collect evidence of progress along the way

You will:

  • Keep building on the great work in your Action Plan
  • Join the uplifting Celebration Event in June
  • Take part in our whole-school Cookathon
  • Take part in the BBC Gardeners’ World wheelbarrow event
  • Continue engaging the whole school in enjoyable, meaningful activities
  • Gather ongoing evidence of the difference you’re making

With continued support, you will:

  • Start tying up and completing tasks on your Action Plan
  • Keep the whole school involved in positive, practical change
  • Repeat pupil surveys and the school audit to see your progress
  • Pull together evidence for your final to showcase your achievements

You will:

  • Celebrate your school’s achievements and receive your plaque at the Awards Ceremony

Celebration Event

Our mid-year Celebration event, held in late July/early July is a chance for our current HFL schools to come together and showcase the amazing things they have been doing in their schools. This event, held at the Heritage Suit within Mondelez HQ is full of laughter, learning and fun.

Children and staff from our schools share activities around the key themes of HFL- Healthy Eating and Cooking, Growing Food and Physical Activity. We’ve seen all manner of things from seed bombs and composting, salsa and mocktails to healthy pot noodles, rugby and even Drumba!

This event is one of the highlights of the HFL calendar and really brings demonstrates the difference the programme can make and the dedication of our schools!  

Awards Event

Our Annual Awards Event, held in February, is the ‘Oscars’ of Health for Life and is the chance for all of our completing schools to be recognised and celebrated for their incredible efforts towards the HFL. This event, held in the stunning Cadbury Concert Hall is the perfect way to close out the programme and show off all the incredible hard work from our schools.

We are lucky to get the share the event not only with staff and children from schools, but also members of the Services For Education team, staff from Mondelez International and even very special guests such as the Lord Mayor of Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

Each school is presented with a beautiful plaque to recognise their achievement, which can be displayed in their school for years to come! 

During the Autumn and Spring terms, your school will be invited to take part in four uplifting and practical courses, with at least one staff member attending from your team.

The courses will focus on:

  • Growing food
  • Physical activity
  • Healthy eating and cooking skills

These days are designed to be inspiring and enjoyable. You’ll have the chance to explore a variety of activities and meet organisations, charities and companies who can offer ideas and support to help Health for Life flourish in your school.

In previous years, guests have included brilliant partners such as Aston Villa, Birmingham Adult Education Service, The Conservation Volunteers, Skip2Bfit and many more. These sessions are invaluable for discovering practical ways to weave HFL into your school life, your curriculum, and your wider community, making the journey both achievable and exciting.

Quotes from delegates:

“There was a wealth of ideas, tips and tricks. I’ve come away with a headful of ideas to engage parents, staff, pupils and the community!” Staff member – All Saint’s Primary

“The practical aspect of the training is the jewel in the crown. It was planned with great thought as to how it can be transferred in a manageable way back to school” Deputy Headteacher – Corpus Christi Primary School

“I have gained confidence in my own abilities in cooking and in my ability to teach skills and techniques in a safe and appropriate way. In addition, the food was amazing!” Headteacher – Red Boots Primary

Let’s Cook Training:

The expert team from Let’s Cook work directly with school staff, delivering a fun, informative and interactive workshop designed to build knowledge, confidence and long‑lasting healthy habits. This hands‑on approach supports the Health for Life project by bringing the programme to life in your school and helping participants understand why healthy choices matter and how to make them part of daily routines.

Accreditations and Partnerships:

The programme supports the NHS Better Health- Healthier Families initiative and offers a wide range of enjoyable opportunities that help families move towards healthier, more active lifestyles. It works in partnership with fantastic organisations including Birmingham Adult Education Service, Spark Active, Aston Villa, The Conservation Volunteers, and many more.

These partnerships bring rich expertise, hands on activities, and inspiring experiences that help embed healthy habits across the whole community.

The programme is generously funded by Mondelēz International and is delivered in Primary schools by Services for Education, and the wider community programme is delivered by The Conservation Volunteers.

Health for Life has raised awareness across the school community about making healthy choices. All of our pupils have been involved in growing fruit and vegetables and the programme has totally transformed our DT curriculum with children cooking more in school and engaging parents with take home pots.

We are offering a broader range of physical activities, particularly at lunchtimes with the support of our young leaders. Brain and movement breaks in class have also greatly improved children’s mental health and emotional regulation.

ANDY HOLMES – HEADTEACHER, HOLLYFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL

What a fantastic programme HFL has been- we, as a school, have embraced everything about it and our children, staff and families are all come on board joyfully and with gusto.

All four areas of HFL are embedded positively within school life and it’s exciting to know that more can be added to enhance our curriculum further. Thank you for your support! We are invested!

SHARMIN ROBINSON – STARBANK SCHOOL

Health for Life has been brilliant in that it has enabled us to new cooking equipment. The cooking lessons have been fabulous and to see the joy on the children’s faces has been wonderful. Our garden has also been a huge success and the enthusiasm of the children is infectious! They have loved growing and cooking food!

DONNA PAWLEY – ASSISTANT HEAD, SAINTS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

The main documents that you will need through the course of the Health for Life programme can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.

Primary Schools:

Page Last Modified:  01/10/2026 12:05